The County of Kauai’s Office of Economic Development announced the launch of a new website aimed at informing both visitors and residents of the various transportation options available on Kauai.
The new website, GetAroundKauai.com, was created in response to the current rental car shortage on Kauai, but has a broader goal of providing people with the resources they need to make more sustainable transportation choices. The Office of Economic Development, in collaboration with the Hawaii Tourism Authority, set out to implement actions in the Kauai Destination Management Action Plan, specifically Action E: Encourage low-impact green rides to improve the visitor experience, reduce island traffic, increase small business opportunities, and meet climate action goals; and Action G: Develop educational materials for visitors and new residents to have respect for our local cultural values.
Visitors to Kauai often rely on a rental car as their primary mode of transportation. With the current shortage of rental cars, many visitors are now seeking alternative modes of travel. Up until recently, the transportation options were limited and there was not a central place to find them. GetAroundKauai.com fills that void and will be regularly managed, updated, and improved as more transportation options become available.
“During the pandemic, our residents were given a glimpse of what life is like without the influx cars on our roads and there’s no denying how much traffic had improved,” said Mayor Derek S. K. Kawakami. “As we continue to recover, we see the opportunity to do better in managing visitor impact and that includes implementing transportation mode change on our island. We are grateful for our partners with Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau, and the transportation industry in the launch of this new website which will be a valuable resource for our community.”
The intent of the website is to show visitors that they can navigate the island without renting a personal vehicle every day of their trip, and the website will continue to be improved for residents who are exploring other modes of travel.
“Our goal is that this new website will serve as a resource to connect travelers with transportation alternatives, such as airport shuttles, ride-shares and bike rentals,” said Nalani Brun, Director of the Office of Economic Development. “This rental car crisis can become an opportunity for us shift away from the mind-set that the only way to get around Kauai is with a personal vehicle,” said Brun.
“Educating visitors about traveling responsibly is key to addressing tourism’s impacts and enhancing the well-being of Kauai’s communities,” said John De Fries, president and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority. “We encourage travelers to utilize this comprehensive website when planning their trips, and are sharing it widely with our Global Marketing Team and visitor industry partners to amplify the information.”
-Christina Kaser, Energy Coordinator, Office of Economic Development, County of Kauai
